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2016 NFL Draft - Diamonds in the Rough: Offense

All football fans know the can't miss prospects in every years draft. The players at the top of the draft board that are sure to step in and contribute right away. The Ezekiel Elliots and Jameis Winston's of the world are easy to spot. They will step in, be handed the keys to the car and be expected to put up stats and help the team right away. Then there are the next tier of players that everyone is aware of that has a chance to step in although not as sure of a bet to start in their rookie seasons. Players such as receiver Josh Doctson (behind Pierre Garcon and Desean Jackson in Washington) and TE Hunter Henry (behind aging legend Antonio Gates in San Diego) qualify as such this year. Then you get to the next tier of players that fans may have heard of but have no idea as to their potential this season and in future seasons at the NFL level. Every year, multiple players surprise with big pro careers that when you look back at it you think, "How did I miss that player?". I will look at some players drafted late currently off the radar that have a real shot at surprise at the next level.

1. RB Keith Marshall, Georgia (242nd pick in the draft) - Washington:

Keith Marshall was one of the highest recruited players coming into college. He signed with Georgia and exploded as a true freshman rushing for 759 yards on only 117 carries and scored eight touchdowns. He looked like a future Heisman winner but was derailed the next season with an ACL injury and he never recovered really. He decided to forgo his senior season and come into the draft and he entered the draft as a forgotten, written off entity but the truth is his upside is huge. He was the fastest running back in the combine at 4.31 forty and he plays at 219 pounds. When healthy his smooth acceleration and speed once in the open field gives defenses fits and he does have the power to go through a tackler. He looked hesitant and slower since return from injury a couple of seasons ago but he if gets that swagger back, he is a potential beast running back drafted in the seventh round.

2. TE Rico Gathers, Baylor (217th pick in the draft) - Dallas:

What? You haven't heard of Rico Gathers? The phenom from Baylor? Really? Oh yes, I know why. It's because you are a college football fan and not an NCAA basketball watcher. Rico Gathers played four seasons of basketball with Baylor and averaged 11.4 PPG this year with the team. He has not played football since he was 13 years old. So why did I put him in a column about potential football greatness? It's simple really as his mix of size, quickness and athleticism make me think of Antonio Gates every time I look at him. He is 6'6, 273 pounds can jump and being a basketball player ensures he will have good body control and solid hands. Sure he has to learn this craft on fly but there is no hurry with Jason Witten still on roster and he will be a sponge with good professional coaching training him up from scratch. I see a potential top-five tight end here and you can steal him late in Dynasty fantasy drafts.

3. WR Charone Peake, Clemson (241st pick in the draft) - NY Jets:

Charone Peake was a top prospect coming out of high school but wound up buried behind legitimate talent in Clemson and never was as productive as he could have been. In part that was due to a torn ACL injury that derailed his progress and he struggled to be relevant afterwards. He did flash that potential last year with a 50 receptions / 716 yard campaign last year for a strong Clemson squad. He is the perfect blend honestly of size, speed and athletic and he looks the part of a top NFL receiver. He is shifty with a terrific burst and causes fits down the field. Unfortunately he has small hands and drops have plagued his career but he is a player under the radar that has boom potential in his game.

Burbridge doesn't flash the elite speed that makes scouts drool but this former highly regarded national prospect heading into school exploded last year with a monster season and his blend of size and body control is very good. Top end speed really only comes into play if the player can do everything else well which means 'So what' if Burbridge doesn't possess it. The kid is a gamer, battles hard, never gives up on the ball and makes spectacular receptions look routine. He explodes out of breaks and runs really nice patterns. He should have been a top-100 pick and he could eventually emerge as a starter in San Francisco who are in need of receivers.

5. RB Jordan Howard, Indiana (150th pick in the draft) - Chicago:

Admittedly, Howard is not as off the radar as the other players I wrote about but he deserves a mention here as I believe he should have been a top-50 pick and could emerge as a top-ten fantasy player in Chicago. He is a big, powerful running back capable of 300-carry seasons and who wears down defenses. His blend of vision, patience and cutting ability make him difficult to stop and him lasting until the fith round was hard to believe. He will be very good, perhaps as good as any running back in the draft including Ezekiel Elliot.